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What a joy to combine passions; the Love of Christ and His Word along with counted cross-stitch design! I am a born again Christian that resides in Marshfield, Missouri (a recent move) with my husband Robert and our dog, Underfoot. I grew up in a Christian home in Wheaton, Illinois and studied Fashion Design in Chicago, later becoming a Visual Display Director, I then managed clothing stores from the midwest to the east coast. I eventually achieved District Manager status while working in New York. I left the city and set out for Scottsdale, Arizona where much of my family had moved to, where I then formed a Sales Representative Company called Showcase Concepts (premier ideas), that specialized in better hand-crafted, gift and home decorative products. I did a lot of traveling visiting customers and exhibiting at trade shows. I met Robert in Phoenix and knew right away that he was "the one". After dating for only five months, we were married. I always thought it was silly when people would say that you would know when you met the right guy, but they were right. In God's perfect timing, we met. I liquidated my business and Robert and I bought an 18 wheeler. For over four years I traveled along with Robert, helping with loads, contacting customers and most anything travel and trucking related. I most enjoyed just being with my husband. We really grew spiritually through that time. I had been looking for a hobby to do while on the truck and bought a sampler cross-stitch kit. That first kit opened up a whole new world to me! I discovered that stitching was like painting on canvas and I started creating my own designs. As they say, "the rest is history". Joyful Expressions was officially started in the Spring of 2004. The first featured products have been the 5 x 5 inch designs that fit easily into a CD case which also becomes the instant frame. All the designs feature a Bible verse and most are both fun and easy to make in just a few short evenings. Even a non stitcher can finish these patterns as there are only three stitches to learn and they are all done on 14 count aida. Over the past few years, I have been creating designs that fit into standard 5 x 7" or 8 x 10" frames so that expensive custom framing won't be necessary. A tremendous success has been the Name Blessings designs. Customers submit a name (often a grandchild), and I chart out the name, name meaning and matching Bible verse in an attractive border. I have a great job working with Bass Pro Shops as a Internet Promotions Specialist at the corporate offices in Springfield, Missouri. I'm a project coordinator working with the buyers and merchandisers to present the products featured in weekly events on the website. A bit of trivia...We now live just off the original Route 66. I grew up in the Chicago area where the route starts and when we lived in California, the same route went through our town - sort of come full circle, so to say...My Dad tells me the day I was born he was drafted into the army. Based in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri he would drive the same Route 66 back to Barrington, Illinois every leave, just to see Mom and myself! Robert and I consider Joyful Expressions to be more a ministry then a business. Our prayer is that these simple designs will be used for God's glory. Perhaps by having the Bible verses displayed in a home or office, they will act as a "witness" and be a constant reminder of our awesome Creator and Salvation through Him! Sandra Schueller |